IT has gone through many changes over the years. It used to simply involve the management, setup, and repairing of computers, but has since developed into a strategic system that keeps crucial data secure, lowers expenses, and helps increase income. With the increase in security threats and complexity of modern computing, the IT department has become even more important.
Many businesses have to deal with big data in addition to other aspects of IT, which involves the overwhelming accumulation of data that employees have to pick apart for meaningful information. Searching through big data, companies can potentially find ways to gain an advantage over competitors while securing and maintaining the integrity of sensitive data and employee information.
Following are some of the main ways in which IT can significantly improve business operations.
IT departments are responsible for the identification and prevention of security breaches. This entails identifying unauthorized attempts to gain access to a network, monitoring social media and email to avoid phishing attempts, and updating systems with patches to eliminate vulnerabilities. To meet these needs, IT teams need to be able to analyze large amounts of data in real-time.
Companies also need to make sure that the gap between IT and security teams is minimized to prevent data loss, downtime, and other issues. Both teams must work together to avoid and overcome contemporary security threats, with the help of CIOs who are willing to change their processes accordingly and purchase the tools necessary to get the job done.
necessary tasks on their end.
One of the most important keys to enabling businesses to maintain security and efficiency is through consistent monitoring and automation, which makes operations easier for IT staff.
IT departments are also responsible for opening the door for new business models, including Internet of Things (IoT) services and subscription-based product sales. Regardless of the product or service, IT staff needs to be able to keep track of big data in the field and sufficiently analyze it to effectively offer these services. In addition to field data, IT personnel have to manage and analyze customer data to determine what they need and want, along with buying behavior and other aspects that can further help with marketing and sales.
Ultimately, businesses must use IT to manage big data, maintain system security, and monitor operations to help companies succeed. Without a reliable team of IT experts behind these operations, companies can quickly find themselves falling behind competitors in today's environment.
Bring or choose your own device has become a mobile device policy consideration for businesses moving toward remote communication. Managers can either let employees invest in their favorite mobile technology or the company can invest in its list of priorities. Here are the pros and cons of device policies.
Small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) have widely adopted the "bring your own device" (BYOD) model. About half of American companies are projected to have a BYOD policy in place by 2017, according to a recent Gartner survey of CIOs.
A BYOD mobile device policy usually creates savings in capital expenses since employees buy their own mobile devices. This policy contributes to employee recruitment and retention. It empowers both experienced talent and young experts to be more productive and work independently. A Cisco study reveals that American BYOD workers improve productivity by an average of 81 minutes per week.
Conversely, BYOD raises security issues. Since employees take their devices home, company data may be at risk. Bitglass reports that 52 percent of SMBs named privacy issues as their biggest reservation toward adopting a BYOD mobile device policy. Since BYOD workers control their own devices, they have a broader selection of security protocols. A Webroot study found that 60 percent of employees either had no security or default features on their devices, making their phones vulnerable.
BYOD is complex because workers may use multiple devices with various operating systems. Working with a new iPhone may accelerate tasks but may also create compatibility issues with SaaS applications. Some employees may use Android while others use iOS, forcing the firm to focus on cross-platform applications.
"Choose your own device" (CYOD) allows staff to choose from a list of company-approved devices, adding a layer of security. This policy ensures that OS choices are limited, so that security solutions are well defined. Automatic updates will not create additional concerns. This setup can block access to unwanted apps. A significant CYOD security feature is that missing devices can be remotely wiped. Bitglass recently mentioned that over a quarter of data loss in the financial services industry could be attributed to lost or stolen devices.
Businesses can guard against breaches by requiring employees to keep personal and professional use separate through containerization and mobile device management (MDM) solutions. This process allows managers to add security controls such as the white-listing or black-listing of specific apps on the company side of the device, while employees maintain control of the personal side. Containerization allows remote wiping of one side without affecting the other.
CYOD policies, however, cost more for businesses when they purchase devices.
Since most mobile devices cost hundreds of dollars, expenses can add up for big companies. Furthermore, some employees may not enjoy working with unfamiliar devices over the ones they've experimented with on their own. They may be uncomfortable that their employer has the power to wipe half their device at any time.
The firm may also achieve the best of both BYOD and CYOD worlds with a hybrid solution that allows them to watermark company data for containerization purposes.